Tuesday, July 1, 2025 marked the official launch of the 3rd edition of the Jayli Awards at the Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire. More than a ceremony, this event positions itself as a strategic platform aimed at placing Africa, and Côte d’Ivoire in particular, back at the heart of the global music industry.
The founder of the Jayli Awards, Cheick Yvhane, also CEO of C.Waï, unveiled a bold vision: to put Africa “back on the world map” by promoting its talents and creators. “There’s no denying that we have talent. The problem is the spotlight,” he stressed. The objective is clear: to make the Jayli Awards a credible and structuring barometer, capable of propelling African artists onto major international stages, while repositioning Côte d’Ivoire as an essential crossroads for African music.
A rigorous and transparent selection process
Unlike other awards on the continent, the Jayli Awards aim to be exemplary in terms of methodology. Registration is open now at jayliawards.com and will continue until August 8, 2025. Each artist must register in the category(ies) that correspond to them.
A pre-selection jury, composed of radio programmers, producers, managers and representatives of digital platforms operating on a continental scale, will be responsible for evaluating the applications with the utmost impartiality.
A program rich in content and meetings
The general commissioner of the Jayli Awards, Ismaël Savané, presented the main points of the program for this 2025 edition, which will take place over three days, from November 27 to 29. The event will begin with an opening panel, setting the tone for a series of reflections on the challenges of the cultural industries. This first day will continue with an academic component intended to fuel the debate and explore the sector’s prospects in more depth.
The following day, the stage will be occupied by several interventions from renowned experts, who will come to share their experiences and insights with professionals, enthusiasts and learners in the field. In the evening, a “Welcome Night” will bring together artists, partners, sponsors and speakers in a setting conducive to exchanges, collaboration and networking.
The final day, November 29, will be dedicated to a major television show, a true highlight of the event. Having become a benchmark on the continent over the years, this show will close the festivities in an atmosphere that is both prestigious and festive.
A lever for economic and cultural development
For Isabelle Anoh, Director General of Leisure and representative of the Minister of Tourism and Leisure, Siandou Fofana, the Jayli Awards are much more than an awards ceremony. They embody a platform for expression, recognition and promotion of African talents.
She highlighted the strategic role of music in attracting tourists, boosting the local economy and promoting cultural diversity:
“Our artists are true ambassadors who, through their art, draw the world’s attention to the richness and vitality of our heritage.”
With this 3rd edition, the Jayli Awards are now established as a major cultural event, which combines creativity, economic development and international influence. They symbolize the ambition of an Africa that asserts its identity, that invests in its youth and that shines through its culture.
Maurelle Kouakou
Esprit magazine
